Zippered Laptop Sleeve Tutorial

In case you missed it during the Holiday Bake, Craft, & Sew Along, here’s my tutorial for a zippered laptop sleeve. Since it’s measurement based, you could adapt it to fit an iPad or other electronic gadget, too.

Supplies:

Outer fabric

Lining fabric

Fusible fleece

Zipper (approximately 4” longer than your laptop)

Embellishments

Measure your laptop, wrapping your tape measure all the way around.

Mine measures 18.5” X 24.5”. (Yes, it’s tiny.)

Split both of those measurements in half. In my example, that would be 9.25” X 12.25”. Add 1.25” to both of those measurements. In my example that’s 10.5” X 13.5”. We’re finished with the math. Cut 2 pieces from your outer fabric this size. Cut 2 pieces from your lining fabric this size. Cut 2 pieces of fusible fleece this size. I then trimmed 1/2” off all around my fusible fleece because I didn’t want the bulk in my seams.

Embellish one of your exterior pieces as desired now. I’m including directions for exactly how I made mine, but feel free to change that up to personalize your laptop sleeve.

Cut a strip of fabric 3.5” wide and then press under 1/4” on the top and bottom edges.

Position on the front of your laptop sleeve and stitch in place along both edges.

Cut a strip of fabric 3” high by at least twice the width of your laptop case. Fold under 1/2” on both long edges and press.

Run a long gathering stitch (do not backstitch) about 1/4” in along both long edges. Pull your bobbin threads to gather evenly. Position in the middle of the larger strip and stitch in place.

(I made the decorative flower using these directions on WiseCraft. It’s attached to a pin and is removable so you won’t see it until the final pictures.)

Iron your fusible fleece to the wrong sides of both pieces of outer fabric, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Take your zipper and place it face down and centered along the top edge of your front piece. You should have excess zipper on both ends.

Pin the zipper in place in the center. In order to get the zipper to go around the corners nicely, you’re going to make a few shallow snips along the part you need to bend.

Keep on pinning around both corners. I like to use A LOT of pins.

Baste the zipper in place. I used white thread so it would show up better for photographic purposes.

Position your lining fabric directly on top of your front piece, right sides facing.

Sew just inside of your basting line. Turn your pieces right side out. Press your exterior and lining fabrics away from the zipper.

Close the zipper. Position your other exterior piece on top, so the sides are even. Slide it up until it’s even with the zipper and pin. Unzip and repeat the zipper installation steps for the back half of the case.

Hi! I found your awesome tutorial as I was googling for a zippered laptop sleeve to make for my macbook pro. So I made it today and I found it very easy to follow, except I wasn't sure on the seam allowances. I posted pics of my laptop sleeve on my Facebook and on my blogs (with link to your tutorial here) http://www.theschwandts.blogspot.com and http://www.snugglibebe.com.

Thanks for the tutorial! I made one last night. It's not quite as cute as yours, but I used material I had on hand and really like it. Posted on my blog http://sewmanydreams.blogspot.com and linked back to you.

I am planning on making one of these and was just wondering what you did with the battery charger? I was thinking of just adding more material to make room for it on top of the computer. Any suggestions? Or did it just fit inside without any special things? Love the idea!!

This is too cute!! I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for the detailed how to…I’ve been sewing for years but have never taken a class so this is exactly what I needed! Just out of curiosity, any suggestions on how best to attach a shoulder strap?

Umm I seem to have gotten lost right about where you have the zipper picture and then the picture of just the lining. Ive had to rip out my stitches twice. I wish i could see everything a little closer up. Attaching the lining after the zipper was very confusing, since im a beginner. Yours looks awesome though

Stumbled on this via Pinterest…. LOVE IT! Gonna shop for the supplies tomorrow and teach myself how to sew just so I can make this for my new laptop! Woohoo! Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to stalking your site for more cool Crap I’ve Made idea!! xoxoxo

Hi! I know this not a selling site but I was wondering if you would be willing to sell me a case just like this. I have been looking forever and I love this one!!! I am not a great sewer, I stick to photography and I would not dare to take on this project. Just let me know. Thanks.

I made this for a friend’s 10.1 Galaxy Tablet and it came out beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial, easy to follow! I used Texas Bluebonnet fabrics and monogrammed one side and did the ruching on the other side! Thanks! Happy Sewing, Pamie G.

Hi! I love this idea and I have recently started making it. The only thing that I am wondering about is if it is easier to use the fusible fleece or if it would be okay to just use regular batting?
Thanks so much for the tutorial and the cute idea

I’ve just started making this, and I have one tip for anyone following this tutorial. Make sure you check which way round your zip is. I’d done a wonderful seam round the corner (possibly my best ever) only to find out that I’d sewn the zip in the wrong way round! Other than that, great tutorial!

As someone who “can’t sew” I was so proud of myself that I completed this project with a little cursing and only 1 major mistake. One of my lining pieces is backwards! Oh well. Thanks for a great tutorial. Easy to follow and fantastic for the iPad.

My total measurements including the added 1.25 come out to be 9.5 x 12.562..(itty bitty netbook..i miss my big laptop..haha)..Issue is I only have a 20″ zipper…I can cut it down and make it work right?…

Hi!
I’m struggling too at the step where you sew in the lining. Could those of u who weren’t thrown by this pls explain? I can’t tell when to sew the second interior to the second exterior piece. Does that come before or after sewing it to the second zipper side?

Thanks so much for the laptop sleeve tutorial. The directions were great and it was actually very easy to make. I’ve just finished one for my laptop and will be making more as birthday gifts. Thanks again!!!

I just finished 2 of these tonight – one for my laptop, and a smaller one ffor my ipad. I just could not wrap my head around sewing the zipper facedown, then the lining, etc. I ended up with wrong side of the zipper out. So, I just stitched the front to the lining in the same place where your instructions say to baste the zipper, then flipped it right side out, and attached the zipper at that point. Otherwise, these cases are easy peasy and just sooo adorable! Thanks so much for posting this! I’m in grad school, so I’m a tech junkie – so glad I can tote my devices in style!
Can’t figure out how to share a picture, or I would! lol

I wish you would have given some more to the point instructions (i.e less waffling, more useful and sharper pictures (for instance, “sew inside basting line”, uh, which side up?? do I baste the lining also?? do i take the pins out or leave them in place?? and where’s the pressing iron?? or the sewing machine???? Thanks.

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aideɗ me. GooԀ job.

[...] to make a travel case for my computer for a while and I finally got around to making it. I found this tutorial. What stood out to me about this tutorial was the shirred fabric embellishment. It [...]

[…] all times during the conference. My next step was to make a laptop sleeve. I used this tutorial over at Crap I’ve Made to make my laptop sleeve. I also added a Nest of Posies posy to the laptop sleeve. I […]

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Feel free to link to or feature (no more than one image, please) any tutorials on this site, as long as credit is given. Tutorials are for personal (non-commercial) use only. For more information, see the details of my copyright way down at the bottom of the page!